Dear Juno,

I think what you did was brave, and most girls can’t go through with that. You handled your situation better when most people would, even as a high schooler. In the process you learned lots of relationships, how they can fall apart and how people can work together. You learned it faster and more in depth than any other high schooler. You were able to make the choice that made you happy and gave your kid a good home, while giving someone else the gift of motherhood. That’s not someone everyone can do. You differently grow up fast and handled it like a pro.

Personally I wouldn’t be able to go through with what you did. I’d have to get an abortions. Just knowing who I am and my life plans I couldn’t have a child. Even if I gave it up. If I get attached to something then it’s hard for me to give it up. A pregnancy changes your body in ways that makes you attached so you don’t neglect your child and knowing myself I wouldn’t be able to give it up after I went through everything to have a kid.

I think that if you wanted to follow through with the abortion it should have and should always be your right. Every woman should have the choice to have control
over their body. Once a woman gets pregnant it’s their body that changes and their life. Lots of the time the father in the situation doesn’t stay around with its unplanned. The woman should have the right to choice what her future can be. Even though someone was irresponsible or their birth control failed that .01% then they should still have the choice. Humans aren’t perfect and we should be punished with having to take care of a person for over 18 years. If someone isn’t responsible to have use birth control then how can they be responsible for a child. If people who can’t afford birth control then they can’t afford a child either. If abortions aren’t allowed and we see a bundle of cells the beginning of a pregnancy as a child then we shouldn’t let woman have periods because those eggs should also be seen as kids. Allowing abortions gives woman a safe way to end a pregnancy instead of resorting to the private way. It also cuts down on court case to allow abortions, because women won’t be doing back alley abortions and won’t be charged for manslaughter. Women need to have rights protecting their body and their privacy in situations like this. They should be protected and helped. The decision of Roe v Wade has improved our nation and should be kept the same.

Best Wishes

Iva-Elaine